U.S. judge dismisses fans’ lawsuit against NFL over Deflategate
BOSTON — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the National Football League by a group of New England Patriots fans angry about the league’s handling of the Deflategate scandal, saying they lacked legal standing to sue.
The suit challenged the NFL’s decision to strip the team of a first-round draft pick in 2016 after allegations that the Patriots deliberately used underinflated footballs to meet the preferences of star quarterback Tom Brady in a 2015 playoffs game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Patriots won that game, putting them on the path to Brady’s fourth Super Bowl championship.
The lawsuit charged the NFL violated federal racketeering laws — those designed to prosecute organized crime figures — in stripping the team of a first-round pick in the draft, an important event in the NFL calendar when teams pick college players.
U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor said the fans who brought the suit lacked standing to sue the league on the team’s behalf and had failed to make an adequate case for a racketeering claim.
Husson names volleyball coach
BANGOR — Taylor Roland-Buohl has been named the new head coach of the Husson University volleyball team.
She served as the assistant coach for two years at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y.,where the Valiants compiled a 32-15 record.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to direct the Eagles volleyball program and look forward to the challenges in bringing Husson up to the level of success the program deserves,” Roland-Buohl said in a news release.
Roland-Buohl played Division I volleyball at Farleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J. She was a four-year letter winner for the Knights and was also a four-time scholar athlete.
Las Vegas to land expansion franchise
The NHL is preparing to announce it has chosen Las Vegas to join the league as an expansion team, according to published reports.
Las Vegas and Quebec City were both under expansion but the league’s executive committee reportedly favored the Las Vegas bid.
The city says it has more than 13,000 season-ticket commitments for a team that would play in recently opened T-Mobile Arena, a 20,000-seat facility located just off the famous Las Vegas Strip. The expansion fee is reportedly $500 million.
The league has a Board of Governors meeting on June 22 in Las Vegas, when an official announcement on expansion is expected.
The expansion team would start play with the 2017-18 season.
Broncos’ Marshall agrees to deal
The Denver Broncos agreed to terms with linebacker Brandon Marshall on a four-year contract extension, the team announced on Tuesday.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the NFL Network noted that the deal is worth $32 million, with $20 million guaranteed and another $10 million serving as a signing bonus.
Marshall had a second-round, $2.553 million tender placed on him by the Broncos earlier this summer. The sides had until Wednesday to come into agreement.
With Marshall in the fold, Denver is expected to turn its attention toward fellow linebacker Von Miller. The Broncos placed the franchise tag on the Super Bowl MVP, who reportedly turned down a six-year, $114.5 million offer from the club.
muscles that lie between the ribs
Nationals’ Papelbon lands on DL with intercostal strain
Washington Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an intercostal strain (muscles between the ribs) on Tuesday.
The move was made retroactive to Monday.
The Nationals activated fellow right-hander Matt Belisle from the disabled list to replace Papelbon, who has posted a 1-2 mark with a 3.28 ERA this season. The 35-year-old Papelbon has converted 16-of-18 save opportunities in 2016.